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Sunday, June 2, 2013

Coleus for Your Garden


   Coleus is a beautiful landscape plant prized for its colorful foliage, which comes in shades of green, yellow, pink, red, and maroon.

Alabama Sunset

    Coleus varieties can range from one to several feet in height. They can be used in hanging baskets, in containers on patios, or in landscape beds.

    These heat-tolerant, durable annuals have very few disease or insect problems.  Some varieties, such as the Kong series or Black Magic, grow better in shady conditions. 
Stained Glass

    Many new varieties, such as Alabama, Stained Glass, Duckfoot, or Mississippi Summer, thrive in full, hot sun.

 Coleus plants do best in well-drained soils amended with lots of organic matter. Pinch the growing stems of young plants frequently to encourage dense foliage. Remove flowers as they appear to keep the plants from going to seed and declining.